Paris Descartes University

About: Paris Descartes University is a government organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Immune system. The organization has 20987 authors who have published 37456 publications receiving 1206222 citations. The organization is also known as: Université Paris V-Descartes & Université de Paris V.

Alexithymia and the Processing of Emotional Facial Expressions (EFEs): Systematic Review, Unanswered Questions and Further Perspectives

Abstract: Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying, differentiating and describing feelings. A high prevalence of alexithymia has often been observed in clinical disorders characterized by low social functioning. This review aims to assess the association between alexithymia and the ability to decode emotional facial expressions (EFEs) within clinical and healthy populations. More precisely, this review has four main objectives: (1) to assess if alexithymia is a better predictor of the ability to decode EFEs than the diagnosis of clinical disorder; (2) to assess the influence of comorbid factors (depression and anxiety disorder) on the ability to decode EFE; (3) to investigate if deficits in decoding EFEs are specific to some levels of processing or task types; (4) to investigate if the deficits are specific to particular EFEs. Twenty four studies (behavioural and neuroimaging) were identified through a computerized literature search of Psycinfo, PubMed, and Web of Science databases from 1990 to 2010. Data on methodology, clinical characteristics, and possible confounds were analyzed. The review revealed that: (1) alexithymia is associated with deficits in labelling EFEs among clinical disorders, (2) the level of depression and anxiety partially account for the decoding deficits, (3) alexithymia is associated with reduced perceptual abilities, and is likely to be associated with impaired semantic representations of emotional concepts, and (4) alexithymia is associated with neither specific EFEs nor a specific valence. These studies are discussed with respect to processes involved in the recognition of EFEs. Future directions for research on emotion perception are also discussed.

Psychology of emotion: Interpersonal, experiential, and cognitive approaches.

Abstract: Chapter 1. What are Emotions and How are They Studied? The Scope of the Phenomenon. Definitions of Emotion. Emotions as Component Processes. Theories of Emotion. Can We Study Emotions? Or, How Can We Study Emotions? Naturally Occurring Emotions. Summary. Chapter 2. Structure and Function of Emotion. Structural Accounts of Emotion. Basic (and Discrete) Emotions. Dimensional Accounts of the Structure of Emotion. Functional Accounts of Emotion. Positive Emotions. Summary. Chapter 3. Self-conscious Emotions. Cognitive Achievements Underlying Self-conscious Emotions. Social Comparison Emotions. Self-evaluation Emotions. Summary. Chapter 4. Facial Expression of Emotion. What are Facial Expressions of Emotion? Measurement of Facial Expression. Origin of Facial Expressions: Nature vs. Culture. What Information is Provided by Facial Expressions? Emotions vs. Social Motives. What Information Determines the Recognition of Emotion? Face vs. Context. Facial Expressions and the Experience of Emotion. Facial Feedback Hypothesis. Summary. Chapter 5. Regulation of Emotions. Why do People Control their Emotions? Motivations Underlying Emotion Regulation. How do People Control their Emotions? Emotion Regulation Strategies. Suppression of Expressive Behavior: Trying Not to Show It. Cognitive Reappraisal: Thinking about It Differently. Emotional Thought Suppression: Trying Not to Think about It. Social Sharing of Emotions: Talking about It. Emotion Regulation and Health. Summary. Chapter 6. Emotion in Social Cognition. Affective State and the Content of Cognitive Processes. Influences on the Structure of Cognitive Processing. Summary. Chapter 7. Emotion and Group Processes. The Group as a Place for Emotions. Emotions in Intergroup Context. Summary. Chapter 8. Gender Differences in Emotion Processes. Stereotypical Beliefs about the Experience, Expression, and Judgment of Emotion. How do Men and Women Experience and Express their Emotions? Gender Stereotypes as Heuristic Devices. How Well do Men and Women Decode Others' Emotions? Why Men and Women Differ in their Emotions: Origins of Gender Differences. Summary. Chapter 9. Emotion and Culture. The Cross-cultural Study of Emotion: A Brief History. General Culture Constructs. Cultural Models of Emotion. Do Emotions Occur in the Same Places? Do Emotions Look the Same? Expressing Emotions. Do Emotions Feel the Same? Summary. References. Author Index. Subject Index.

ChREBP, a transcriptional regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Abstract: Dysregulations in hepatic lipid synthesis are often associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and therefore a perfect understanding of the regulation of this metabolic pathway appears essential to identify potential therapeutic targets. Recently, the transcription factor ChREBP (carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein) has emerged as a major mediator of glucose action on lipogenic gene expression and as a key determinant of lipid synthesis in vivo. Indeed, liver-specific inhibition of ChREBP improves hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in obese ob/ob mice. Since ChREBP cellular localization is a determinant of its functional activity, a better knowledge of the mechanisms involved in regulating its nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling and/or its post-translational activation is crucial in both physiology and physiopathology. Here, we review some of the studies that have begun to elucidate the regulation and function of this key transcription factor in liver.